September 12, 2025-Published by Cyril

Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, has reacted strongly to the preliminary report released by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which alleged that some members of its flight crew tested positive for alcohol and drugs after the July 13, 2025, Port Harcourt incident.

The report, which followed the incident involving Air Peace’s Boeing 737-524 aircraft (5N-BQQ) operating a Lagos–Port Harcourt flight, claimed toxicology tests indicated alcohol in the flight crew and traces of THC (cannabis) in a cabin crew member. The aircraft, carrying 103 passengers, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach.

In its official response, Air Peace expressed shock that, more than a month after the incident, it had not received any official communication from NSIB regarding the alleged test results. The airline maintained its commitment to safety, compliance, and transparency, stressing that it enforces one of the strictest drug and alcohol policies in the industry.

• “We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the standard eight-hour rule before a flight. Drug use is completely prohibited in Air Peace,” the statement read.

Captain Grounded, Co-Pilot Cleared by NCAA

Air Peace confirmed that it took immediate action after the incident. The captain of the affected flight was grounded and removed from further duty for failing to comply with Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and ignoring the co-pilot’s go-around instruction.

Contrary to reports, the First Officer (co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism during the flight, has been fully reinstated and cleared for active duty by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

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Air Peace emphasised that if the NSIB’s claims were accurate, it would further strengthen its internal alcohol and drug testing regime to ensure absolute compliance.

Commitment to Passenger Safety

Reassuring its customers, the airline said:

• “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and implements global best practices in all operations. We will continue to intensify fitness-for-duty checks, crew monitoring, and CRM training to uphold our zero-tolerance safety policy.”

The NSIB, in its preliminary report, stressed that the findings are subject to further analysis and that a final safety report will be issued with additional recommendations to improve aviation safety in Nigeria.

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